Fig. 226.
(417) It is customary to fit to spinning machines indicators by which the production is registered. One or two of these, as made by Messrs. G. Orme and Co., are described, but it may be as well to say in passing that these appliances are largely used, and are very instrumental in preventing disputes as to the remuneration of the operatives in cases where this is determined by the work done. The indicators are attached to the back shaft, and can be made in two forms, either to indicate the number of hanks produced in thousands, or the number of draws made. The first is shown in Fig. [225], the second in Fig. [226], and the details of the mechanism in Figs. [227] and [228]. Referring to the latter, an arm B is fixed on a shaft, forming a centre for it, being constructed with two points C and D, acting as catches. On the shaft on which B is centred is a sector A, gearing with a worm on the back shaft. As was pointed out in Chapter [X]., the back shaft makes an equal number of revolutions in each direction at each draw, so that the sector is caused to oscillate, and partially rotate the shaft. In this way the arm B is also oscillated in the same direction as the sector. The triangular-shaped surface E is fastened on its shaft, and the point D, on the arm B, comes in contact with the notch shown in E, when the end of B is being raised. Thus E is rotated, and when B is reversed as described, the point C engages with E, and continues its rotation. While this is occurring the other end of B is descending, so as to assume a position to act on the next point of the triangle. The rotation of E is therefore continuous, and it makes a complete revolution every three draws. On the triangular wheel E is a flange or disc F, in which is secured a pin G. The wheel M is fixed in the position shown, and is constructed with fourteen teeth, half of which are the full width of M, the other half being only half that width, but are a little longer. As F revolves the pin G comes in contact with one of the long teeth in M, and moves it forward. If the disc F were quite circular the overlapping of the broad teeth, as a reference to Fig. [228] will show, would prevent any movement of M. A notch H is therefore cut in the disc, so that only when one of the broad teeth is opposite the notch can any motion of M take place. The motion of M is thus prevented from taking place except when required, and is communicated to the finger of the indicator by the gearing shown. From this description it will be noticed that there are seven operating and seven locking teeth in the wheel M, and in arranging the gearing this fact is considered.
Fig. 229.
Fig. 230.
The figures on the dial represent thousands of hanks, the number being arrived at from a calculation based on the number of spindles and the length of draw of the mule. Where required to meet special local cases, the indicator can be arranged to indicate the number of draws made by the mule. In Figs. [229] and [230] the indicator used for slubbing, roving, and drawing frames is shown. Instead of using a graduated dial and finger the figures are arranged on discs, of which there are three, one disc registering the decimal part of the hanks passed. The worm shown in Fig. [230] is driven by direct attachment to the front roller. The three discs are driven from one another, there being a very similar locking motion to that described in connection with the mule indicator. The effect of this arrangement is that the first disc has to make a complete revolution before the second is moved one figure. When the second has completed its revolution it in turn moves the third. The discs are locked after each movement, so that until again unlocked no motion can occur. The indicator is arranged to indicate up to 100 hanks, with decimal parts of each hank. Owing to their special construction no fly can enter the working parts, although there is easy access to them.
Fig. 227.